BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL: SIXTEENTH BILLY ELLIOT

Today, Monday 23 June 2008, thirteen year-old Fox Jackson-Keen will make his West End Stage debut in the title role in the multi-award winning Billy Elliot the Musical. Fox, from Hornsey, is the first Londoner to play Billy Elliot in the international hit musical.

Having just celebrated three years in the West End, Billy Elliot the Musical received its world premiere at the Victoria Palace Theatre in May 2005 when James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower created the role of 11 year old Billy on stage following in the footsteps of Jamie Bell who created the role on film. Fifteen boys have subsequently performed the title role in the London production with Fox becoming the sixteenth. Billy Elliot the Musical has now played to over 2.2 million people world-wide. Recently over 250,000 new tickets went on sale for the London Production which is now booking until 11 April 2009.

Billy Elliot the Musical is set in the North East and is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy's dreams. This new staging of Billy Elliot the Musical is an adaptation of one of the most adored British films of the last decade which broke box office records across the world and was nominated for 3 Oscars and 13 BAFTA Awards.

The score for Billy Elliot the Musical has been composed by music legend Elton John, the most celebrated UK singer songwriter of the last 30 years, choreography is by Peter Darling, designs are by Ian MacNeil with sound by Paul Arditti and lighting by Rick Fisher. Billy Elliot the Musical is produced in London by Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions plc.

Fox joins current Billy Elliots Layton Williams (14 years old from Manchester), Hogan Fulton (13 years old from Newberry Park, California) and Joshua Fedrick (14 years old from Saltash, Cornwall) who perform alongside Jackie Clune (Mrs Wilkinson), Phil Whitchurch (Dad), Chris Lennon (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Trevor Fox (George), Alex Delamere (Mr Braithwaite), Sara Poyzer (Mum) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy).

On 13 November 2008, Billy Elliot the Musical opens on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre with previews from 1 October. The Australian production premiered at Sydney’s The Capitol Theatre last year and will end its year long run in November 2008 ahead of a transfer to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre previewing from 30 December 2008, opening on 15 January 2009.

FOX JACKSON-KEEN
I’m 13 years old and have been lucky enough to have done some amazing things. I have represented London at Gymnastics, danced at the Sadler’s Wells, appeared on television in shows such as Hyper Drive and The Bill and have filmed in Cannes and Camberwell. I am enjoying my time at Billy Elliot enormously and have really benefited from the support of a huge team here. I am really proud to be the first London boy to play Billy Elliot.